PHOENIX (AP) -- Monsoon storms drenched much of Arizona on Sunday, stranding some drivers in flooded streets and knocking out power for thousands in Tucson.

Up to 2 inches of rain fell an hour in places in the Phoenix metro area. The official gauge in Phoenix had taken in 1.07 inches by early evening, crushing the previous daily record of 0.61 inches.

Eastern metro Phoenix saw the most rain. The Arizona Department of Public Safety closed a portion of popular U.S. Route 60 in both directions for hours because of flooding, forcing hundreds of drivers to wait it out at a standstill while crews pumped the water out.

Other drivers got stuck in flooded streets after they decided to chance it.

Sunday's storm, combined with a storm that hit last week, has made for a soggy start to this year's monsoon. In five days, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport received about 2 inches of precipitation; an average monsoon season delivers 2.77 inches in its entirety.

"This has been an active week," said Mike McLane, a service hydrologist at the National Weather Service's office in Phoenix.

In Tucson, the storm knocked down about 12 power poles in one area, cutting the electricity of about 3,100 customers, said Joe Barrios, a Tucson Electric Power spokesman.

The National Weather Service issued an urban- and small-stream flood advisory for southeastern Arizona, parts of Yavapai County in northern Arizona,

The weather service warns that most flood deaths happen in vehicles and urges drivers to stay away from any areas where water covers the roadway, noting that even just a foot of water can sweep vehicles off the road.

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Information from: East Valley Tribune/Scottsdale Tribune, http://www.eastvalleytribune.com and the Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

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